A strong contingent of Macarthur BMX riders are ready to make their mark at a national championships. The Macarthur BMX Club has sent 36 riders to the 2019 BMX Australia Bad Boy National Championships in Shepparton. Douglas Park's Isla Basa, 10, will lead the local charge. Isla secured bronze at last year's nationals and has been in good form on the BMX track in 2019. More than 1500 riders will compete at this year's event, which began yesterday (May 22) and concludes on Saturday, May 25. Macarthur BMX Club president Fred Furner said riders aged from seven to mid-60s would represent the club at the championships. Furner said the locals hoped to make a strong impression against some of the country's best BMX riders. "Nationals is the pinnacle for most riders, apart from going to the world championships," he said. "We hope we can get up to 10 plates at the event. You get a plate from finishing in positions one to eight." Furner said BMX riding was "exciting and challenging" for competitors. "I compare BMX riding to the 100-metre and 200-metre sprints in athletics." Furner said the Macarthur club was the biggest BMX club in NSW and second largest in Australia. "We have more than 400 members and our club is gradually growing," he said. "People are a bit unaware of our club because it's an alternative sport. "It's not a team sport like football or netball - but we have a lot of girls jump into the sport." The Macarthur BMX Club is based at Kirkham Park. Furner said his club would benefit from Camden Council's $3.1 million Kirkham Park sports precinct. Plans include the construction of a new BMX track, allowing the club to host national and international championships. "We are looking to get a world-class home track, which will prepare our riders for major events," he said. For more information, visit the Macarthur BMX Facebook page.